By Jared Shelly

– Go to college. Get an internship. Get a job.

That’s been the pathway to success for many young adults for years. But these days, student loan bills are crippling, and many employers are looking for candidates with specific kinds of experience.

Enter apprenticeships, something that U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez calls “the other college” but without the debt. On Thursday, he was in town to announce the creation of a $100 million apprenticeship grant competition to promote the expansion of the Registered Apprenticeships program meant to bring recent high school graduates into high-demand, high-tech careers. ( Apply for apprenticeships here.)

No, apprenticeships aren’t just for electricians and construction workers anymore. They’re a great way towards careers in technical fields like IT and health care, said Perez. And the ability to earn while you learn is a big draw.

“Today I met people who are excited about their work, following their passions and making real money,” said Perez in an interview after he left Philadelphia. He held a press conference at the School District of Philadelphia and met with Computer Support Specialists from the Registered IT Apprenticeship program run by the Urban Technology Project. A few months ago he visited the Finishing Trades Institute.

“There are multiple pathways to prosperity” said Perez, who hailed apprenticeships for their ability to give young people real-world experience, upward mobility and because “some people work better by doing as opposed to simply sitting in the classroom.”

For example, Perez pointed to Germany, where apprenticeships are “a major explanation why youth unemployment is half of what it is in United States.”

Perez said that Philadelphia is a natural fit to promote the apprenticeship grant program because of its budding startup scene in a wide array of sectors. Plus, employers in Philadelphia are excited to have the opportunity to train somebody in the specific competencies they need – rather than rolling the dice with a candidate just because they majored in a certain subject.

While in Philadelphia, Perez said he met a woman who had already gone to college but dropped out to become an IT apprentice.

“She said she was spending too much money,” said Perez. “Now she’s thrilled that she’s on a path to an IT career.”

Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/morning_roundup/2014/12/thomas-perez-apprentice-philadelphia.html?page=all